William c



W. C. MAYNARD.

' TOP.

Patented Sept. l, 1896.

` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TILLIAM C. lMAYNARD, OF OANTON, OHIO.

TO P.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.. 566,922, dated ,September 1, 1896,

Application filed April 20, 1896. Serial No. 588,399. (NI) model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. MAYNARD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Canton, county of Stark, State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tops, of Which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the acconpanying drawings, making part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in tops, and more particularly to that class of tops known as spring-tops; and it consists in providing means whereby the top is rotated or spun and ejected from the holder.

With these objects in View my invention relates to certain features of construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed. I

Figure l is a perspective of the top. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the top side of the holder. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the bottom side of the'holder. Fig. 4 is a vertical section. Fig. 5 is a side View of the holder and a portion of the top mechanism for holding the driving-spring from recoiling. Fig. 6 is a plan vienT of the upper side of the top, showingthe driving-pin and the locking-pin; and Fig. 7 is a side View of the top-actuating spring.

A denotes the body of a top having a truncated lower portion B, a Vertical side portion C, and horizontal upper portion D, in which are provided a driving-post E and a retainingpost F, and central to the body A is provided a vertical central spindle G. In the lower point of the top is provided a spinningpoint H.

In the holder portion J is provided a central aperture K, in Which is placed a coiledwire spring L, having its upper end a turned out to one side and secured to the handle, as shown at b. At the lower end of the spring is provided, by bending to one side a portion thereof, an arm (l, having at its right-end portion a hook or recessed portion f, adapted to engage the driving-post E to rotate or spin the top, as will be hereinafter explained.

On the under side of the hand-piece or holder are provided catches M, whereby the spring is held in restraint until liberated by pressing the finger on the upper end of the shaft G, by Which movement the top will be pressed down, carrying with it the post F past the catch'M, at which instant the energy of the spring will be exerted to rotate and eject the top from the holder. The springis formed substantially as shown in Fig. 7, having outwardly-projected arms a and d, having a closely-Wound body, forming a smooth interior wall or surface to receive the spindle of the top and in which it may be rapidly rofated and ejected therefrom by the spring.

In operation the spindle G is placed in the spring L in the holder J, the arm d of the springresting against the post E. The holder is then turned about the spindle to wind the spring. When sufficiently wound, the catch M is allowed to rest against the post F to hold the spring in wound relation to the top. To spin the top, the holder is grasped by the thumb and second finger, the index-finger resting on the end of the spindle, which is now pressed down to carry the post F below the catch M, which will release the top from fixed engagement with the holder, at which instant the energy of the spring will be exerted to rotate and discharge the top from the holder.

In one side of the top is provided a small recess N, in Which is secured a small lead shot, the operation of which is to cause the top when it stops spinning to always present the same side up. When it is not so desired to use the top, the shot may be removed. The shot should be of such diminutive size as not to materially affect the running of the top.

Having thus fully described the nature and object of my invention, What I claim is- 1. In a top, and in combination, the spring, L, the holder, J, the described spring secured thereto, the catch M, secured to the holder, and the top having the spindle G, a horizontal face D, in which is secured a driving-post E, and a locking-post F, vertical side portion O, a truncated portion B, the recess N, and

load, substantially as described and for the tally as described, and for the purpose depurpose set forth. scribed. xo

2. In atop, and in combination, a holder J, In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set a coiled spring having arms as a and d, the my hand this 28th day of March, A. D. 1896. 5 former secured to the holder, the latter adapt- WILLIAM C. MAYNARD.

ed to engage a post as E, secured to the top, VVtnesses: Whe'eby the top may be spun by the energy VV. K. MILLER,

of the spring, exerted on the post, substan- BURT A. MILLER. 

